An average of 698,000 pediatric return visits to the ED within 72 hours occurred each year between 2001 and 2007, accounting for 2.7% of all ED visits, according to data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Return visits were associated with:
Age younger than 1.
Ages 13 to 18.
ED arrival between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Recent hospital discharge.
Western region of the United States.
The authors added that insurance was not associated with return visits to the ED in pediatric patients.
Abstract: Pediatric Emergency Care, July 2012.
